He may not have been the prettiest stroke-maker in the country, but no one could deny Rajin Saleh's resilience as a cricketer. Apart from a decent technique and temperament that let him bat for long hours, he had the gumption to take blows to the body while batting and when fielding near the bat. He was athletic, could do the hard yards, and like Khaled Mashud, taught Bangladeshi cricketers about the need of optimum fitness to last in international cricket.

Rajin was in the forefront of Bangladesh's maiden Test win when he added 119 with Habibul Bashar, before shepherding the innings past the 300-mark, a rare occurrence in those days. He also scored a match-saving fifty in the next Test, securing the series for his team. Two seasons later he struck two Test fifties against Australia at home. He also made a gutsy half-century on debut against Pakistan in 2003 - 60 runs coming in five hours - to keep Bangladesh in the game for five more hours.

Born in Sylhet, he was always the rock behind the district or divisional side's batting which was always colored by Alok Kapali's strokeplay. Rajin was a star in the age-group competitions which prompted him to be asked to field as a substitute in Bangladesh's inaugural Test in 2000. He would make it a memorable occasion by catching Sachin Tendulkar at short-leg.

He would also go on to captain Bangladesh in the 2004 Champions Trophy in England after regular captain Habibul Bashar broke a thumb.

He, however, lost his place frequently afterwards for failing to capture an ODI spot. He struck his only century in 2006, 108 against Kenya, and was in the 2007 World Cup squad but after the successful tournament, Rajin played only seven more Tests in which he struck a fifty against Sri Lanka and took a screamer against India.

He continues to play domestic cricket in the Dhaka club scene as well as for his beloved Sylhet, where he has opened a cricket academy.Mohammad Isam

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